Kurds and their friends held a march and rally in the German city of Cologne today to protest against the Turkish state’s invasion of Afrin, the wall of shame built around the city and the most recent invasion attack against southern Kurdistan.

The march that kicked off at Ebert Square at 11:00 was promoted by FED MED-NRW (Mesopotamia Free Society Federation), Afrin Platform (PYD, Maraş Initiative, Central Anatolian Kurds’ Platform-PKAN), Dersim Reconstruction Congress, Southern and Eastern Kurdistan Representatives, Mesopotamian Faiths Union (FEDA, NAV-YEK, CIK), Kurdish Women’s Union Germany (YJK-E) and Revolutionary Youth Movement.

Organised under the motto ''Serî Hilde'' (Rise Up), the march continued amid slogans “Es Lebe Rojava” [Long Live Rojava], “Biji Berxedana Efrîn” [Long Live Afrin Resistance].

KOÇ: BIJÎ BERXWEDANA EFRÎN

After covering 5 km, the crowd reach Neu Markt where a rally was held.

Speaking here, KCDK-E (European Democratic Kurdish Societies Congress) Co-chair Yüksel Koç said the following; “We will build our democratic system as is wanted by Serok Apo (Leader Öcalan). Kurds want to live in a free and democratic country. We are sending our greetings from Cologne to our people in Bashur (South Kurdistan). YPJ, YPG and SDF are fighting a great war today. Bijî Berxwedana Efrîn.”

DEMİREL: DIE-LINKE WILL ALWAYS STAND WITH THE KURDS

Özlem Alev Demirel, who was elected an MP for Die Linke in the recent European Parliament elections, stated that; “YPG and YPJ have given a great struggle against the fascist and reactionary mindset. Kurds now want to live in their own country with their own identity. We, Die Linke, will do our utmost for them. We condemn and oppose the German weapons sale to Turkey. Kurds are not alone. We, Die Linke, will always be standing with them.”

PYD: AFRIN IS A PART OF KURDISTAN

A speech made in the name of PYD said; “We will frustrate the dirty politics of Turkey. The freedom of our people is the key to return to the human history. Afrin is ours. Afrin is a part of Kurdistan. Liberation belongs to our people in Rojava today.”

LONG LIVE AFRIN RESISTANCE

Süleyman Gürcan spoke on behalf of ATİK and said; “Afrin has been occupied by the fascist Turkish state in cooperation with the imperialist powers. German weapons have been a part of the occupation there and we condemn this. A great revolutionary struggle has been given in Afrin and this resistance will continue until Afrin is liberated and the status of the Kurdish people is recognised. Long live Afrin resistance.”

SARIYILDIZ: OUR RESISTANCE IS WHAT KEEPS US STANDING

Former HDP MP for Şırnak, Faysal Sarıyıldız, also spoke and said the following; “Afrin was bombarded by warplanes two years ago. Even the hospitals were bombed. Hundreds of civilians and children lost their lives. The peoples living there defended their land against these fascist attacks. What keeps us standing is our resistance. Our burden is heavy and we are paying great prices in this struggle. However, resistance is life. Freedom or freedom!”

DENİZ: WE OWE THE GAINS TO THE MARTYRS

Şafak Deniz spoke in the name of AveG-KON and stated that; “We have achieved these gains thanks to the martyrs. We will give a great struggle for Afrin, just like the great resistance led by Güven that has just been witnessed.”